Does anyone have one of these? I like to go camping and I was thinking one of these machines might be fun to take along. I have seen a couple of these over the years and you can get pretty proficient using them I know. I just haven't seen them mentioned.
Thanks for any info.

Verna, this link will take you to a person who sells hand cranks for the older machines: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_2151wt_1071

These older style machines are great I have a few and change out from motor to hand crank as needed.

You will find them mentioned in the Vintage Sewing Machine Shop here:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/virtual...jsp?vsnum=1013

It is really easy to convert an older Singer to hand crank. You simple take off the solid hand wheel and also the motor (one screw) and replace them with a spoked hand wheel and a crank. A Singer 99 or Spartan is a nice 3/4 machine to do this on. I just did a Spartan ( machine AND conversion kit total cost was $70, plus I still have the motor to convert it back anytime I wish.) I plan on teaching grandkids to sew this summer on it.

Source for crank and wheel:
http://shop.sew-classic.com/Hand-Crank-Treadle_c31.htm

and directions for doing it:
http://www.treadleon.net/sewingmachi...onverting.html

They sell new ones whatever you do if you decide on a new one do not buy it at an on line store named ALLBRANDS! Don't ask how I know, it was a nightmare!

When I young my mother used one and did good work on it, I finaly sold it just didn't have room for it. It still worked , was a universal. It went to a quilt shop in southern Ohio

PM Bily at lostn51. He has had a kit one available for sale that he likes.

Thanks for all the info. I never thought about putting a hand wheel on a Featherweight. I have a 1952 Featherweight that is electric and I use it all the time. But, I did buy another Featherweight that I wanted to fix up and sell. Maybe, I will fix it up with a hand wheel and keep it. I should know that you all have great memories and are lots of help. Thanks again.

My mom's old Singer had a hand crank that was simply attached to the flywheel and worked nicely. Hers was a treadle but a relative thought she should not be working a treadle when she was pregnant with me so they got the hand crank attachment for her. I really don't know how much she used it. Probably just when the relative was around! HA